Young Readers Program
Chautauqua Institution is a community that values and celebrates reading, and since 1994, the CLSC Young Readers program has engaged young Chautauquans and community members in the enjoyment of good reading. Each summer, a selection of books are chosen for their quality, the variety of their styles and subjects, and their appeal to young readers. While aimed at 9- to 14-year-olds, these books will also delight younger and older readers. Young Readers selections now include Early Reader titles for our earliest readers and their families.
Contact Information
Stephine Hunt
Managing Director of Literary Arts
shunt@chq.org
716.357.6255
2025 Book List
WEEK ONE
King: A Life (Young Adult Edition)
by Jonathan Eig
Ages 12+ • Young Reader
WEEK ONE
A Race Around the World: The True Story of Nellie Blye and Elizabeth Bisland
by Caroline Starr Rose
Ages 4+ • Early Reader
WEEK TWO
Wrecker
by Carl Hiaasen
Ages 11+ • Young Reader
WEEK Two
Will the Pigeon Graduate?
by Mo Willems
Ages 3+ • Early Reader
WEEK THREE
The Family I’m In
by Sharon Flake
Ages 14+ • Young Reader
WEEK THREE
How Sweet the Sound
by Kwame Alexander
Ages 3+ • Early Reader
WEEK FOUR
They Call Me Güero
by David Bowles
Ages 9+ • Young Reader
WEEK FOUR
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Ages 4+ • Early Reader
WEEK FIVE
Stranded
by Nikki Shannon Smith
Ages 9+ • Young Reader
WEEK FIVE
Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Ages 10+ • Young Reader Classic Selection
WEEK FIVE
Arithmechicks: Explore More
by Ann Marie Stephens
Ages 4+ • Early Reader
WEEK SIX
Squire
by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh
Ages 12+ • Young Reader
WEEK SIX
A Sad Little Fact
by Jonah Winter
Ages 3+ • Early Reader
WEEK SEVEN
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy
by Angie Thomas
Ages 10+ • Young Reader
WEEK SEVEN
J vs. K
by Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexander
Ages 8+ • Young Reader/Early Reader
WEEK EIGHT
Grace Notes: Poems about Families
by Naomi Shihab Nye
Ages 12+ • Young Reader
WEEK EIGHT
Song of the Old City
by Anna Pellicioli
Ages 4+ • Early Reader
WEEK NINE
Light & Air
by Wendy Nichols Wendell
Ages 10+ • Young Reader
WEEK NINE
Jingle Dancer
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ages 4+ • Early Reader
The Program
In addition to reading the summer’s selections, youth are invited to attend the related weekly program throughout the Chautauqua season on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. on the porch of the Literary Arts Center at Alumni Hall. The program includes a brief book discussion followed by a presentation or activity led by community leaders, local organizations, and sometimes even the authors themselves.
While the most important feature of the Young Readers program is reading, all levels of participation are important and are encouraged — from reading only one of the selections to reading them all. The weekly programs are open to all youth, and reading the week’s selection is encouraged but not required for attendance.
Young Readers Medallion
The Young Readers medallion rewards young Chautauquans who read 16 books from the program’s historic book list. The medallion is made possible by the John H. Bliss Memorial Fund and the support of the CLSC Class of 2002.